Master of Science in Human Nutrition

Program

The Master of Science in Human Nutrition Program provides students with a thorough education in normal and therapeutic nutrition for individuals and groups. The program is designed for students who have earned a bachelor's degree and wish to become a registered dietitian (RD) or wish to delve more deeply into nutritional science and research.

The program does not currently offer options for individuals who already hold the RD credential.

Students can opt to pursue the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) track leading to becoming an RD, or the Nutritional Sciences (NS) track leading to work in research and industry, or as preparation for more advanced study. Both tracks stress the interdisciplinary and scientific nature of nutrition and food and provide students with a base of theoretical knowledge and methodology enabling them to continue professional growth after graduation.

Graduate study in human nutrition is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. All required courses are taught in the evening.

Students have the option to complete a thesis with the guidance of a research mentor. Students who do not complete a thesis are required to pass a written comprehensive exam at the end of their first year in the program. Successful completion of the written comprehensive exam or successful defense of the thesis is required to graduate from the program.

What you'll learn

The Human Nutrition curriculum covers all aspects of normal and therapeutic nutrition for individuals and groups. This major also encompasses nutrition science, the application of the principles of biochemistry, physiology, and biology to human nutritional needs. Current research in human nutrition includes food preference and nutrition, nutrition assessment, and effectiveness of nutrition education (particularly by the use of multimedia) on health and eating habits. Current research in nutrition science includes physiological and genetic determinants of obesity, lipid metabolism, neutraceuticals, and diet-endocrine interrelationships.

Soon after matriculation, students consult with their advisors and complete a plan of study. There are 14 required courses and 1 elective course in the DPD track. All students are expected to file a plan of study with the graduate advisor before the end of their third term of matriculation.

What makes the Human Nutrition program unique?

Drexel University was one of the first universities in the country to offer the DPD at the graduate level specifically geared to students with a bachelor’s in another field.

Extensive network of professional experiential learning opportunities and research involvement.

You are part of theDrexel College of Nursing and Health Professions with access to various practice environments and educational facilities.

Graduates of the program who do not receive an internship match are eligible to apply for Drexel's Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) to fulfill their supervised practice requirement.

COMPLIANCE

The College of Nursing and Health Professions has a compliance process that may be required for every student. Some of these steps may take significant time to complete. Please plan accordingly.

Note: Applying to the M.S. in Human Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program requires special planning. Students are admitted only in the Fall term. The first consideration before submitting an application is whether all prerequisites have been met. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that transcripts can be reviewed and prerequisites determined.

Admission Requirements

Degree:A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all the colleges/universities that you have attended. Transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the college/university seal over the flap. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.

Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.

If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency

What if I have taken some or all of these classes already?

If you have completed this coursework at another college or university that is regionally accredited, the director of the MS/DPD will evaluate your transcripts. For courses completed at another university to meet the requirements, the courses must meet the following:

Is substantially equivalent to courses offered in the Nutrition Program at Drexel (a course description and/or course syllabus is used to determine this).

Completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better in most cases.

Be less than five years old for science or nutrition courses or 10 years old for other courses (based on the time of the course evaluation), with several exceptions.

General chemistry courses may be 10 years old, but biology, human physiology, and biochemistry may only be five years old.

In some cases, a practicing healthcare or research professional will be allowed to have certain science courses older than five years.

The following courses have no time limits: English, general psychology, statistics, basic food preparation, and quantity foods.

What if I have not taken these prerequisites yet?

Students may fulfill the prerequisite courses at another institution or local community college convenient to them. All prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning the MS/DPD in fall term. The only exceptions are the food preparation and quantity foods courses; they must be completed by spring of the second year of the program. They are available either at Drexel University or at Community College of Philadelphia.

If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter, please remind them that it must include an ink signature and be submitted in a sealed envelope.

Personal Statement/ Essay:Approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel and your short- and long-term career plans and how your background, experience, interest, and/or values—when combined with a Drexel degree—will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.

Interview/Portfolio:Admissions interview may be required.

CV/Resume:Required.

Licenses:N/A

Clinical/Work/Volunteer Experience:N/A

International Students:International applicants, as well as immigrants to the United States and U.S. permanent residents whose native language is not English and who have not received a bachelor's degree or higher in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing and reading. American citizens born on U.S. military bases abroad may be waived from the TOEFL requirement after providing documentation of this status. Otherwise, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

If you take the TOEFLiBT exam, you must have:

a minimum combined score for listening, writing, and reading sections of 79 plus a speaking section score of 26 or higher.

a minimum score of 550 or higher and a Test of Spoken English score (TSE) of 55 or higher.

Curriculum

Accreditation

The Drexel University Department of Nutrition Sciences Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council For Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, 800.877.1600.

Outcomes

Drexel's MS in Human Nutrition graduates have exceptionally high placement in dietetic internships. Over the past three years (2012-2014), 90% (47/52) of graduates of the program have received a match with a dietetic internship (national average 51%).

Drexel's MS in Human Nutrition graduates have an exceptionally high pass rate on the entry-level RD exam. Over the past two years (2012-2013), 100% (16/16) of graduates passed the exam on their first attempt.

If you have a desire to promote optimal wellness and quality of life for people of all ages through better nutrition, and if you have an interest in and capacity for science, the Didactic Program in Dietetics option may be of interest to you. The program requires 45 graduate credits and may be completed in two years with full-time study and is the first step to becoming a registered dietitian.

What Is a DPD?

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD ) provides the coursework required to become a registered dietitian. Students who want to become a registered dietitian must successfully complete coursework approved by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Foods, all DPD coursework will be completed as part of the degree plan of study. For students pursuing a Master of Science degree, the prerequisite courses (listed on the Admissions tab) fulfill a part of the required DPD coursework.
Upon completion of the DPD program, students receive a verification statement, which shows successful completion of the DPD and allows entry into a dietetic internship. Bachelor of Science students are required to earn a grade of C or better in all DPD courses to receive a DPD verification statement. Master of Science students are required to earn a grade of B or better in all DPD courses to receive a DPD verification statement.

What Is a Dietetic Internship?

After you complete your MS/DPD program, you must apply for a dietetic internship (also called supervised practice). While the DPD provides mostly classroom training, the dietetic internship provides hands-on training. Dietetic internships provide at least 1,200 hours of supervised practice (unpaid) and are usually completed in eight to 12 months, depending on the availability of a part-time schedule. Entry to a dietetic internship is competitive. You will likely need at least a 3.2 undergraduate GPA and relevant work experience in healthcare to be a viable candidate. After completion of the internship, you are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians.

What Does It Mean to Be a Registered Dietitian?

Registered Dietitians are food and nutrition experts employed in a wide variety of settings who find exciting jobs working as: